The worldwide pandemic has made everyone more aware about how easily viruses can be transmitted. Over the past few months we’ve learned that simple preventative methods, such as washing your hands, can make a big difference in stopping disease transmission and the part that social distancing has played in containing the spread of COVID-19.
But what about protecting the inside your home or your rental properties? Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Did you know that filtered fresh air can dilute and remove contaminants from indoor air? As we like to say, “The solution is dilution.”
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has long recommended three ways to optimize Indoor Air Quality (IAQ):
- Air filtration
- Humidity Control
- Ventilation
Start improving your indoor air quality to protect against airborne viruses with Cape Cod Heat Pumps’ Aprilaire air filtration systems. Aprilaire MERV16 air filters can capture up to 96 percent of the filtered air that contains miniscule airborne, virus-sized particles (0.03 to .3 microns) and 99 percent of particulates (.3 microns or larger). MERV13 air filters are good for one full year; MERV16 is good for six months. When time’s up, you simply replace the filters, getting rid of those harmful contaminants.
Humidity control is necessary not only in summer, but in winter as well. Optimum relative humidity is between 30 and 60. Maintaining proper humidity year-round with dehumidifiers and humidifiers can also reduce the number of airborne particles in your interior space as well as control mold and mildew.
Lastly, ventilation is even more important now. Aprilaire systems offer a patented ventilation control that minimizes energy usage. WiFi thermostats allow you to control the amount of fresh air coming inside.
Please note: an HVAC system alone cannot prevent the transmission of coronavirus and it’s still important to follow preventative measures to reduce airborne infectious particles. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers recommends the following preventative measures to reduce airborne infectious particles:
- Washing hands at least 20 seconds with soap and water
- Avoid contact with sick people
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and/or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid crowded places
- Do not share utensils and food
- Avoid travel to affected areas
- If you become sick, seek medical attention
Give us a call at 508-833-4822 or email info@ccheatpumps.com to set up an appointment, or visit www.ccheatpumps.com for more information. You can also check them out on Google to see where they are located on a map and on Facebook too!
